HARRISBURG, PA — Nicole Price, a former supervisor for the Hamlin Ambulance Company in Wayne County, faces serious allegations of theft and computer fraud, Attorney General Michelle Henry announced. Accused of inflating work hours for herself and her daughter, Price’s actions reportedly resulted in over $8,400 of unwarranted pay.
Serving as an EMS supervisor and captain, Price was solely responsible for reporting work hours to a third-party payroll service. Investigations suggest that she deliberately reported nearly 1,000 hours of work that neither she nor her daughter, an ambulance driver, completed. Beyond the inflated hours, Price is also accused of unauthorized salary increases for both herself and her daughter, as well as compensating herself for non-existent paid vacation time.
The charges laid against Price, 50, include felony counts of theft by deception and unlawful use of a computer, alongside misdemeanor tampering with records. Following her surrender to authorities, Price was arraigned with a set bail of $25,000 unsecured.
Attorney General Henry condemned the breach of trust, highlighting the significant impact of Price’s alleged actions on the financial stability of the Hamlin Ambulance Company—a critical community service provider. “This money was supposed to help advance the company’s mission to keep citizens safe,” Henry stated, emphasizing the betrayal of public trust involved.
The discrepancies came to light after an employee raised concerns about payroll irregularities in September 2021, leading to the suspension of the Price family members from their roles at Hamlin Fire & Rescue and Ambulance. A subsequent audit confirmed the fraudulent reporting of hours and unauthorized pay raises during the year 2021, revealing additional payments of $617 to Nicole Price and $500 to her daughter.
The case, now under the prosecution of Senior Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Elo, underscores the importance of oversight and accountability in positions of trust. As the legal process unfolds, it is crucial to remember that all charges are mere accusations until proven in a court of law. Nicole Price maintains her presumption of innocence as the investigation continues to unravel the extent of the alleged fraud.
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